*Piett was listening Weber carefully. The director proved to be well informed, as expected from someone on his position. Over the years the intelligence organizations of Bretonia were doing their best to maintain the flow of information and yet they had flaws. Only time will tell if the SIS will prove to be superior to its predecessors but for now their efforts were producing results and that was all that matters. *
Jarrow: I am in agreement with your statements. About the Gaians, the Molly, the Hessians and the Coalition - the last months I've noticed the reduction of the reports considering these parties. Nevertheless, just because they are doing nothing now doesn't mean we must allow them to surprise us. I would recommend you to maintain your agents at these group's territories to keep an eye on them just in case. Keep me informed if they do something suspicious.
*Piett crossed his hands on his desk and continued*
Jarrow: About the Corsairs...I am familiar with what you just told me but I didn't know they had a base. There are no reports of any installations carrying their mark, not that we know of. If it was a normal base, no matter if small or not, it would require supplies and our scouts could have found it by now. Perhaps it is something else - a new jump hole or a capital ship with new technology, allowing them to hit and run. This mystery must be solved as soon as possible. As for Norfolk fleet - you made a good point. I am sure Fleet Admiral O'Brian is aware of this situation. Nevertheless I will send her a message to relocate some ships from the other fleets, like York for example, and to reinforce Norfolk until this corsair crisis is over. I am sure she would agree, considering Gwent and the Civilian Defense Initiative (CDI) massed at Sprague and assisted by BPA are doing fine without constant assistance from Norfolk's patrols. Now, about the Gallic Royal Navy...
Baron Piett, without his helmet
*When Piett was alone in his office he preferred to be without his helmet. His suit was slowly healing his wounds and the life support system allowed him to breath when outside but here it was not necessary to keep it on. He removed his helmet and placed it on his desk. His skin was healed but due to the cellular restoration procedures it had a pale color. His eyes were tired but there was passion in them - giving expression of someone that would never give up. His lips formed a barely visible smile at Weber. Piett spoke differently now - without his helmet his voice was - deep and low*
Jarrow: ...when it comes to them you have to take drastic measures. An assault to the Tau-31 jump gate you say? Well, I thought about that before I ordered the destruction of Newcastle and New London gates from within Leeds. Sadly we had no time to finish what we wanted. After the fall of Glasgow and Stokes, Gallia was massing its forces before they launched the assault on the planet. Breaching their blockade was a fool's errand. But now when most of their forces are fighting in the border worlds desperately trying to separate us from Liberty, perhaps there is a slight glimpse of hope to your plan. You have my approval but before you act you have to inform the Government. I am sure they would have nothing against cutting off supplies the gallic forces.
*Piett took a deep breath before he could continue*
Jarrow: Rheinland on the other hand, our relations with them must and will improve in time. I heard lord Hamilton begun negotiations to allow his convoys to enter freely within Rheinland space. These are good news for both side would benefit greatly from economical point of view. From you - it would be expected to make a good name for our forces. The best way to represent us for a start would be by preparing joint operations with their BDM intelligence service against the common enemies of the Omegas - Coalition, Hessians and Corsairs. In this way we could solve several crises and gain an ally. If the Corsairs start loosing forces somewhere else in the Omegas, they would certainly diminish their raids in Cambridge. Only then when we have stable ground where both sides are satisfied - from the military and trading cooperation - then it would be easier to approach them about the new treaty.
*Piett coughed twice and laid down on his chair. He spilled a sentence quickly changing the subject and then he smiled at Weber*
Jarrow: Now tell me...what do you know about the Nomads and their affiliated parties as a whole?
Weber looked at Jarrows face and burned the mind into his memory. Now that he knew who he was and what he looked like, he wanted to keep the image.
I know of Darlington, and of Drake. I also know what we have in the Armoury. The University wrote about Oracles and Nomads a few months ago and I know of Auxesia's reputation. Why do you ask?
*Weber's answer did not surprise Piett at all. He smiled lightly at the director and continued*
Jarrow: I ask because I am worried of this threat. Those before you, the former directors of our Intelligence, were also not very well informed due to the lack of knowledge about this specific matter. You see director, Kusari assaulted our sovereign, followed by Gallia - but those are people, humans like us. With them we can handle somehow - the war will end one way or another - but with these aliens? There is no way to bargain with them...
*Piett coughed for a moment and took a deep breath*
Jarrow: The Nomad War that begun at 800 AS burned all the three Houses of Liberty, Kusari and Rheinland. Aside from the destruction the aliens caused to them they've received knowledge and with it they've managed to grow stronger. For good or worst we were untouched by this menace and most people here are satisfied about this fact. But in this way we've been rendered with limited knowledge about the Nomads. During this period planet Sprague contained a secret bretonian laboratory where the xeno-archaeologist Doctor Sinclair committed experiments with alien artifacts. The laboratory and most of the doctor's work was destroyed by rheinland wilde - this we know from witnesses from Freeport 1. My point is - the time has come for us to act while we still can and to follow Sinclair's example to learn more about these aliens and booster our national security.
*Piett pulled a single folder, marked as "Top Secret" from one of the drawers. He placed it on his desk and slowly pushed it towards Weber. He gave a minute for the director to check several of the pages and then he continued*
Jarrow: Planet Lyndhurst. It is a distant barren world far away from prying eyes. As you might be aware the government is using it for weapon tests. It is the perfect spot to rebuild a similar to Sinclair's laboratory deep underground. Porton Down is going to be the name of this future facility like you can see from the schematics. Of course it would be far more bigger and technologically improved than what Sinclair used to have. There the government, through you and your organization, could commit research and experiments on specific artifacts and nomad remains found within Bretonia. This would help us to gain more knowledge about the nomads how to fight, defend and use their weapons against them...or even against Gallia.
*Piett laid down on his chair and crossed his hands*
Jarrow: There is something else. Perhaps you wonder how would we build anything on the planet without getting unwanted attention? The answer is Caernarfon Station. It was build for a reason - to be a fallback point if worst scenario is to happen - and that is no secret. Whoever is asking would receive the truth - we are building bunkers for Her Majesty and the people of New London. You are the first person with whom I share this information. If I have your attention and agreement to participate - then would have to present this to the Government and await their agreement. The Queen will be informed of course - I will do that myself. So, director, what do you think?
*With these words he smiled at Weber and awaited his response*
Weber was quiet while he considered what he had been told. He knew the risks, Wilde and infection were one of the many reasons why the SIS had been careful in extending a hand towards the BDM in Rheinland. Yet he had to admit, the time was fast approaching where Bretonia was running out of options.
Minister if you are going to do this, then I will support it. I will not, however, charged unrestricted and foolishly into something we don't understand. Planet Lyndhurst is the best option, I agree, but until I have the support of the Queen, there is little else I can offer aside from support, but for now, what you propose is agreeable. If there are other concerns, I will bring them to your attention as they appear.
*Satisfaction is what Piett felt considering Weber's response. He smiled and nodded.*
Jarrow: I am sure, director, that my proposal supported by your organization is all we need now for the Government to consider this matter seriously and to respond appropriately. Ah, I almost forgot...
*Piett took his personal tablet and opened a file. He bent to give the tablet to Weber who stood on the other side of the desk.*
Jarrow: As I promised you early I had a special gift for your organization. Like you can see from this file here in the SRC we are trying to figure out new ways of enhancing the bretonian military personnel armors. I will spare you the details - you can read the report yourself. *he pointed at the tablet* I've prepared a delivery of 50 NPT-V8 infiltrator and 100 NPT-V5 Assault Marine armors for your Intelligence Service. I hope these would serve as example of my desire to help and also to booster the survival of your field agents during their future operations. Should you are satisfied of them, feel free to request for more. If any of your agents require special medical attention - you can bring them here. Usually the direction of our deliveries is primary for the Armed Forces but now that your organization is operational - we shall consider you as well.
*Piett crossed his hands*
Jarrow: It seems our meeting is coming to its end unless you have anything else to ask of me.
He read over the tablet he had been given and studied it with caution. Given the nature of these plans, he was careful not misread anything. Although he was surprised to find that even he could not read the description of one of the suit's, something that concerned him a little.
I think minister, I will place an order for three hundred of these suits now, if thats alright with you. But I note that the NPT-VX prototype is classified. Why is that? and what does it do?
*Piett was observing Weber while he was checking the report about the battle armors. Once the director was done reading he decided to order more suits than Piett originally intended to give him. That was a pleasant surprise*
Jarrow: Well, I did not expect you to order more units before you could test these I already prepared for SIS but no worry - the rest will be delivered within days.
*He bent to take back his tablet and left it on the desk in front of him. He glimpsed the image of the NPT-VX armor and thought for a second before his response*
Jarrow: We've build only three of these models so far. A prototype and two additions for testing. These armors are considered under construction and are not yet ready for mass production. They are classified because they feature a lot of special equipment on them suitable for the survival of...very important people, like you for example. Sadly, like I stated, they are not yet ready. For now the only suit from this model available for testing in open field is my own and I am unable to share any further information with you until the tests are complete.
*Piett and Weber continued with small talk for several more minutes before they could conclude the meeting is at it's end. The weather outside was harsh - there was a storm. Captain Khan, who was guarding his office with Smith and Jameson. was contacted with new orders.*
Jarrow: Captain Khan contact the director's shuttle to be relocated from Landing Platform 1 to my personal landing pad here on the Sage Tower. I would not want our guests to go outside right now. Captain Khan: Copy that sir. The shuttle will be here in a minute.
*The shuttle landed on the pad and deployed its retracted ramp, allowing the passengers to enter. Baron Piett was standing still with Khan and Benedict behind him. His helmet was once again covering his head, hiding and healing his wounds and the life support system was allowing him to breath as normal. Weber with his four guards were ready to get inside the shuttle when Piett approached him*
Jarrow: Director, It was a pleasure to have met you. I am pleased we've reached an agreement on many points we've discussed and I do hope we would be working together for the betterment of Bretonia. Should you need anything, that is within my power, do not hesitate to contact me. *he raised his right hand for a handshake*
Likewise Minister. Please give my regards to the queen when you see her next.
Weber grasped the mans hand and give it a suitable grip and a firm shake before letting go and returning to his shuttle, Jameson was holding a brolly for him as they walked into the shuttle
Thoughts sir? The blonde haired agent asked quietly Man is someone to watch, but someone I'd rather have on my side. Move our men away from this place, let them work Yes sir
*Piett was watching the shuttle which was building up distance - moving away from Jarrow Island. The moment the vessel vanished in the thick smoke clouds of New London he turned around and slowly began to walk. Captain Khan and Benedict were following him behind. They entered inside the building and continued through the long corridor leading to the baron's office. At the door there was a young woman barely at twenty five, leaning against the wall. She was wearing a training suit and no weapons. Her arms were crossed and her gaze was piercing Piett. He made a sign to his guards to leave him alone and entered his office with the woman.*
The unknown lady
The Lady: So, why haven't you introduced me to Weber? Jarrow: Now was not the time. *he calmly answered*
*He walked in front of the huge armored glass in his office - observing the view outside. The lady followed him and sat on his desk.*
The Lady: When, will be the time? *she asked with slight arrogance* Jarrow: I understand you are eager to begin your mission. I know you are ready, but I am not. There are few more details that needs to be set in motion before we can proceed. *he reponsoded, monotonously* The Lady: As you wish. *she said unsatisfactorily*
*She jumps on the floor and begun walking towards the door. Seconds before she could walk away was interrupted by Piett's voice*
Jarrow: We must be careful. You know I care about you.
*He said those words while watching the view outside without turning at her. She smiled and said...*
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